ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Features Record $13.88 Million Prize in India, All-Woman Officials

The 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, marks a transformative moment for women's cricket with an unprecedented prize pool of $13.88 million, surpassing the men's 2023 World Cup prize. Eight top-ranked teams, including favorites Australia, defending champions with seven titles, and a strong Indian side led by Harmanpreet Kaur, compete in a round-robin format across venues in India and Colombo. India seeks its first World Cup title on home soil, buoyed by recent strong performances and standout players like Smriti Mandhana, while England, under new leadership, aims to overcome recent struggles and reach at least the semi-finals. The tournament also features an all-woman officiating panel, reflecting growing professionalism and investment in women's cricket, highlighted by the success of leagues like Australia's Women's Big Bash League and India's newly launched Women's Premier League. This World Cup is seen as a game-changer that could expand the sport's fanbase and inspire a new generation of female cricketers in cricket-obsessed India and beyond. Overall, the event represents cricket's boldest leap yet towards pay parity, visibility, and competitive balance in the women's game.